Overview & Reviews

Toyota is a Japanese brand whose refined, well-designed vehicles have earned it a great deal of popularity. Toyotas also have a superb record for reliability and durability, which goes a long way toward justifying their typically high purchase prices. For buyers who plan on owning their new vehicles for a long time, the Toyota marque is a very compelling choice.

The automaker's name is a variation of the surname of its founder, Kiichiro Toyoda. After years of research, Toyoda unveiled his first prototype, the A1, in 1935, marking the birth of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The '40s witnessed the launch of additional passenger cars and even a pickup. By the end of the decade, the automaker had produced more than 100,000 vehicles.

Toyota grew bigger in the '50s and expanded its roster with a slew of new small cars. The company also unveiled the utilitarian BJ truck; this vehicle was the precursor to the Land Cruiser. By the end of the decade, Toyota had commenced exports to the U.S. with the establishment of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. The first Toyota to be sold on American shores was the Crown; it held the distinction of being the first Japanese car to be sold Stateside.

The '60s witnessed even more growth for the emerging juggernaut. Toyota introduced the Corolla, an immensely popular model that is still in production today. Vehicles like the home-market Publica, the 2000GT, Hiace and Miniace were also launched. The decade closed with Toyota reporting annual domestic sales of 1 million units; cumulative exports also reached 1 million.

Japanese-market cars like the Carina, Light Ace and Publica Starlet were launched during the 1970s. In the States, the Corolla grew in popularity and the Corona and Mk II models debuted as well. The successful Celica sports coupe was also rolled out and would remain in production for more than 30 years. Toyota's shadow had spread far beyond Japan by this point. The decade's oil crisis had made the manufacturer's compact, fuel-efficient models more popular than ever in the United States. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker had exported more than 10 million vehicles.

Toyota expanded its presence in the U.S. market during the '80s, with the introduction of popular models like the 4Runner SUV and the MR2 sports car. The true high point of these years, though, was the birth of the Toyota Camry sedan. Originally known as the Celica Camry in Japan, the car went on to be a hit of phenomenal proportions, earning kudos as America's best-selling car of the year time and time again.

During the '90s, Toyota rolled out the Avalon full-size sedan and expanded its selection of SUVs with the compact RAV4. By the end of the decade, more than 100 million Toyota vehicles had been produced in Japan. The company also proved itself on the cutting edge of new technology with the rollout of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid. The car debuted in Japan in 1997; by 2001, the fuel-sipping sedan had made its way to American highways. Despite the presence of a growing number of competitors in its segment, the Prius continues to boast class-leading sales.

Toyota's current lineup is relatively extensive, including minivans, cars, trucks and SUVs. The brand remains extremely popular among savvy consumers who place a high value on quality and dependability.

User Reviews:

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  Still like my tahoe - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By KIFER - November 26 - 3:20 am

  My wife and i just had our first child, I had recently owned a 99 tahoe with about 100,000 miles on it... time for a trade in. The toyotas mpg is a joke I am no hot rod and I am getting barely over 10mpg. I assumed buying a foreign car the fuel econony would be much better than that of a domestic. The comfort and handling of the sequoia is great. The interior dash and controls remind me of the 80s.

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  fuel mileage - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Peter Beyrodt - November 23 - 4:33 pm

  I am a Canadian, and my window sticker said 29.0 mpg highway. After having several repairs done and two years later my best mileage achieved was approx 20.0 mpg highway. The dealership looked into it and said nothing was wrong even though I had black soot all over the rear quarter panel and all down the side of my boat when I towed it. After furthering my request to fix the lousy mileage I was receiving to Toyota Canada, I was informed the vehicle ran fine and they would not pursue the problem further. I sold it after just two years and bought a full size Sierra and now get much better mileage. Toyota didnt give a damn about me as a customer. P Beyrodt

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  1.8 Auto FWD - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By gordon k laurie - November 23 - 8:36 am

  Have 109k km (now 2009). Very functional, mechanically very sound, and will be difficult to replace. Watch the blind spots (thick windshield posts, small mirrors). Factory tires plain dangerous on wet/slush/snow. Road noise is high (even with undercoating). Single disk CD had to be replaced (jumped tracks). Sluggish initial acceleration but o.k. at highway speed (to be expected for 1.8). Signal light doesnt cancel with less than full turns (nuisance).

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  NOT WHAT I EXPECTED FROM TOYOTA - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By JOHN SMITH21 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  WHEN I COMPARE THE HONDA VS THE TOYOTA THE CIVIC WAS A BETTER BUY FOR THE PRICE

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  I got one from the Lemon Batch - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By rcampos2 - November 20 - 5:08 pm

  I hate this car! Traded in my Tacoma for a "family" car that has given me nothing but problems! 95K to date. Warranty Fixes: Moon Roof Leak, 3-sets of new brakes and disks, 1-set of new struts, 3-sets of new tires, 1 new tranny and now NON-Warranty Fixes: the water pump went out and rear axle is leaking. Not sure if I am giving up on Toyota entirely, but definitely giving up on Camry.

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  Oops.... - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Mary - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Im sure that it will be reliable and hold its resale value. But it is NO FUN to drive and the styling is not pleasing. I do like the superb 4- cylinder engine which is powerful, smooth and economical. Gees, put this engine in an Accord and then wed have something!

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  do not buy. drive & quality poor - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I hate it, wife loves it. had the car 2 months and it is covered in dents from acorns (tree above our parking space). this is not just my car, I have looked for and seen this in parking lots on several priuss. drive is not comfortable, poor seats and acceleration makes the gas engine rev wildly but have little effect. interior ceiling feels like recycled cardboard. (feel roof when you test drive). rear view mirror shakes with stereo base. only use is for short runs where you dont go over 30mph. (wife uses it for these) unfortunately I drive 99% on the freeway and the car shakes at 55mph (center console esp.). windshield fogs up quickly at all times.

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  Transmission is awful - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By DCguy - November 17 - 1:06 pm

  The transmission is really really bad. It has been changed twice and repaired twice on my car. 1-2, 2-3 shifting is awful and vibrates. Then comes the high rear end obstructing visibility for parking. The front bumper catches parking wedges, which cause it to tear the thin plastic undercarrage.

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  Disappointed - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Juamal - November 16 - 2:30 am

  I purchased this vehicle about 1 1/2 year ago for my daughter. After considering several models and wanting a reliable car I went with this model because of its sporty looks and Toyotas reputation. However I am really disappointed with it since it just broke dowm in the middle of the Lincoln tunnel of all places. This vehicle only has 24,000 miles on it. I took it in to Toyota and the service manager says they have been having this problem with some of the 06 model. It has to do with the computer engine. Finally a word of advise if you are not under warranty beware you will be out around $900 if this happens to you. I am very disappointed and seriously considering a trade in.

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  Tried em all - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Big "Utes - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Have owned 11 large SUVs over 20 years. Sequoia is good but lacks the capabilities of the competition. Recent Car & Driver test results says Sequoia was only big ute to get stuck on their course. Got stuck twice last winter in snow - never been stuck before. All vehicles can have problems but have had to replace AC compressor, brakes, steering parts, fuel system EGR)parts, etc. Frustrated by Toyotas tendency to "wish" problems away, requiring calls to Customer Assurance. Toyota is extremely slow to issue recalls for known problems. You have to research TSBs. Im considering selling but choices for big utes are somewhat limited.